Vaping At North Scott: How, Why, And What We Can Do About It

For many, it is a familiar scene: you walk into a bathroom and the air smells like cotton candy. While more pleasant than other bathroom smells, it is a sign of a problem. Vaping has grown from a fringe trend to a frighteningly common habit, especially amongst teenagers. Though marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, it is much more than “just vapor”, and the truth is much more complicated and dangerous than many may realize.

This article takes a closer look at the reality of vaping in our schools: where it’s happening, how students are getting access, and what it’s doing to our health. We’ve gathered data from student surveys and school discipline records, all to raise awareness and protect people. Vaping isn’t just a rule-breaking issue. It’s a health issue, a community issue, and a challenge we must face together, with facts, support, and honesty.

Vaping at North Scott: By The Numbers

While our area is widely considered better than others in regards to vaping amongst teens and especially minors, it does still occur. Per high school head principal Andrew Lehn, “North Scott High School has had 41 tobacco/drug-related events during the 24-25 school year.” Out of 84 anonymous respondents to a survey sent out to North Scott High School students, 25% reported that they had at least once tried a vape. While 25% is a lot, that isn’t the data I wanted.

The data I set out to find and explore were the ages at which children are exposed to these products, and how they get them. The number that scares me the most is the ages at which exposure was reported. Of the nearly 25% of students who have tried vaping, roughly seven percent of respondents stated that they tried vaping between the ages of 16-18. Roughly eight-and-a-half percent gave the age range of 13-15. Five percent of respondents gave ages from 12 down to ages less than ten. Somehow, students below the age of ten are getting access to vapes and products that contain nicotine and other harmful or addictive chemicals. Let's take a look at how this is allowed to happen.

Supply Chain: How They Are Getting Products

Despite being underage, students are still finding ways to obtain vapes through a variety of channels. According to multiple student responses, access often begins with older individuals — siblings, friends, or even parents — who either purchase vapes on their behalf or provide them directly. Some students have pointed out that certain gas stations, vape shops, and convenience stores appear to be selling without proper age verification, while others suggest that online platforms are a source, often with minimal age restrictions or verification procedures.

Students also mentioned that small-time "dealers" within school communities can distribute vapes, with devices sometimes sold discreetly on campus or in surrounding areas like parking lots or parks. In some cases, vapes are shared or passed around among friend groups, lowering the barrier to first-time use.

To help protect student health and safety, we reported any identifiable information regarding illegal sales or distribution from the survey sent out to the appropriate local authorities. This includes suspected retailers or patterns of supply that suggest an ongoing issue. The goal is not to punish but to disrupt unsafe supply chains and prevent further access by minors. By working collaboratively with families, schools, and law enforcement, we hope to reduce exposure and increase awareness around how these products are making their way into young hands.

Health Impacts: More Than Just Vapor

While vaping is often marketed as a “safer” alternative to smoking, the health risks, especially for young people, are serious and increasingly well-documented. Most vape products contain high levels of nicotine, a highly addictive substance that can change how the adolescent brain develops. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nicotine can harm parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. Many students report difficulty quitting once they’ve started, even after just a few uses.

Despite the word "vapor," what's inhaled isn't harmless water mist. It's an aerosol that can include heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and cancer-causing chemicals. The American Lung Association warns that vaping can lead to chronic coughing, bronchitis-like symptoms, and even acute lung injury. Several teens across the country have been hospitalized with EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury)—a condition previously unheard of before vape products became widespread.

Recent studies show strong links between teen vaping and increased levels of anxiety and depression. One study in JAMA Pediatrics found that teens who vape are more likely to report symptoms of depression compared to their non-vaping peers. The short-term “buzz” of nicotine often leads to cycles of withdrawal that can worsen emotional regulation. Secondhand aerosol from vapes can also expose others to nicotine and harmful chemicals. In classrooms, shared spaces, and even homes, classmates, siblings, and teachers may unknowingly inhale substances with potential health risks. Some students and staff have reported headaches and throat irritation after confiscating recently used devices. Younger siblings can be especially vulnerable if they come into contact with discarded cartridges or left-out devices.

This isn’t about judgment — it’s about awareness. When we know the risks, we can make better choices and protect each other. Just because a vape is sleek and smells like fruit doesn’t mean it’s safe. It's more than just vapor — it’s your health, your brain, your future.

Moving Forward: What We Can Do Together

The rise in student vaping is something no single group can tackle alone. But there are clear steps we can take—as families, schools, and communities—to create a safer environment for everyone. Students, parents, and educators all need accurate, up-to-date information. That means bringing trusted health voices into classrooms and parent nights, sharing facts through newsletters or school websites, and making it easy for anyone to ask questions without judgment. Sometimes, just starting the conversation can make a big difference.

Instead of harsh punishments, schools can focus on helping students understand the risks of vaping and guiding them toward better choices. This might look like revisiting school policies, offering access to counseling or support programs, and training staff on how to respond in a way that’s supportive rather than shaming. Some countries, like Sweden, have seen success by treating youth vaping as a health issue rather than just a rule violation. Instead of suspension, students there might be referred to counselors and offered help to quit. It’s a model that focuses more on long-term health than short-term punishment—and it’s one our community could learn from.

Families need to know what to look for: Signs of vaping, how devices are disguised, and how to talk with teens who might be using. Schools and community groups can help by sharing guides, hosting workshops, or pointing toward local services that support teens trying to quit. Stronger communication between schools, families, health professionals, and even local law enforcement can help identify patterns early, like where students are getting vapes, and take steps to stop the flow. In some cases, sharing information with authorities can help shut down illegal sales and keep unsafe products out of kids’ hands.

Young people have power. Schools can support student-led efforts like peer mentoring, awareness posters, and clubs that promote healthy choices and mental wellness. When students speak up, their voices carry.

Looking To The Future

The challenge of youth vaping may feel overwhelming, but we are not powerless. With a clearer understanding and stronger community connections, we can change the path forward. This issue isn’t about blame—it’s about building support systems, smarter policies, and environments where students feel safe, informed, and valued.

We can imagine a future where school bathrooms smell like soap again, not synthetic fruit. A future where teens don’t have to choose between fitting in and protecting their health. That future starts with early education—not just about the dangers of vaping, but about how to handle peer pressure, manage stress, and make confident choices. When young people are equipped with tools, not just rules, they’re more likely to make healthy decisions.

More support needs to be built into our systems. That might mean expanding access to school counselors, setting up anonymous tip lines, or providing quiet spaces where students can talk without fear of punishment. It could also mean giving students roles in the solution: as peer mentors, as designers of school-wide campaigns, or as voices in policy discussions. When students lead, real change follows. We can also explore partnerships beyond school walls. Clinics, community centers, and local health departments can offer help that meets teens where they are, not just where we wish they were. Quitting is hard—but it’s not impossible, especially when you're not doing it alone.

Most of all, the future depends on our willingness to keep listening, learning, and acting together. This isn’t a trend that fades when the school year ends. It’s a public health issue that deserves continued care, creative thinking, and compassion. North Scott can be a place where students are protected, not punished. Where curiosity is met with clarity, and mistakes become chances to grow. That’s the future we’re working toward—one conversation, one choice, and one student at a time.